One of the most common questions we get asked is "How can I use the organic seal to market my certified-organic products without running afoul of the organic regulations?" Until today, that question didn''t have a clear-cut answer, but thanks to a new Fact Sheet published by the USDA, we now have more informed answers for our clients on this front.
In a nutshell, like so many things in this arena, any marketing materials should be submitted to the operation''s accredited certifying agency for review and approval. In addition, the Fact Sheet reiterates the touchstone inquiry for operations and certifiers: Is the seal is being "used to misrepresent nonorganically produced products as organic." If you can''t answer that question with a no, you may be in violation of the regulations.
While we''d like to see even more guidance in this area, this is a good start and hopefully a sign of more to come!